Code of Conduct

Here at Tampa Nerd Con, we’re in the business of building a community around a common love of gaming and pop culture. As every gamer knows, a thorough rulebook is the key to everyone having a good time, so here are our rules for a safe and fun Tampa Nerd Con. If you have a question about a certain policy or guideline, be sure to read through all of our policies, but if that still doesn’t answer your question, email david@tampanerdcon.com. Game on!

Be Safe

• Follow all show policies, venue rules, and staff directions.
• No running, jumping, throwing, or other unsafe shenanigans.
• Support each other in maintaining a safe environment.
• Report concerns to 1-727-657-2108.

Play Nice

• Don’t harass other attendees, staff, or vendors.
• Respect everyone's physical, social boundaries, and personal property.
• No stealing, cheating, trolling, or griefing.

Have Fun

• Remember to eat, sleep and shower.
• Make a friend.
• Play some games.
• Explore.

Everyone should observe common-sense rules for behavior, personal interaction, courtesy, and respect. Harassing or offensive behavior will not be tolerated. Tampa Nerd Con reserves the right to revoke, without refund, the membership and badge of any participant not in compliance with this policy.

ANTI-HARASSMENT POLICY

Tampa Nerd Con is committed to providing a safe environment where everyone is treated with dignity and respect. Harassment or unwelcome conduct, whether verbal, physical, visual, or in any other form, is strictly prohibited. Tampa Nerd Con’s anti-harassment policy applies to all persons involved in the operation or attendance of the convention or Tampa Nerd Con-sponsored event. Tampa Nerd Con will not tolerate harassment of anyone by anyone, including participants, vendors, hosts, or Tampa Nerd Con staff.

Tampa Nerd Con defines harassment as any behavior that threatens a person or group or produces an unsafe and non-inclusive environment. Harassment includes, but is not limited to, offensive verbal comments or non-verbal expressions related to gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, disability, physical appearance, body size, ethnicity, age, or religious beliefs.

Furthermore, harassment includes, but is not limited to, sexual or discriminatory images in public and quasi-public spaces (online and offline), intimidation, stalking, following, harassing photography or recording, sustained disruption of talks or other events, inappropriate physical contact, and unwelcome sexual attention. Harassment may take the form of comments, epithets, slurs, discriminatory or insensitive jokes, teasing, display or discussion of written or graphic material, repeatedly standing too close to or brushing up against a person, or giving gifts of an unwanted or sexual nature. Advocating or encouraging any of the above is also considered harassment.

Harassment at Tampa Nerd Con does not include respectful disagreement or critique offered in good faith. Tampa Nerd Con reserves the right to alter or broaden its definition of harassment at its sole discretion.

No one should tolerate any conduct of this type. Should you experience or witness harassment, you may choose to take any of the following actions:

1. If you feel safe and comfortable doing so, ask the offender to stop. Whether the offending behavior is intentional or unintentional, expressing your discomfort to the offender directly may put a stop to that conduct.
2. Leave the area. While this may seem unfair, it is sometimes best for your safety and well-being if you leave the area, especially if you feel uncomfortable around the offender or their conduct. After separating yourself from the conduct, you may wish to take additional actions.
3. If you are comfortable doing so, ask a volunteer or a staff member for help. Volunteers can be identified by their volunteer badges are running the scheduled events. Staff members have red event organizer badges and will be walking around the event. 
4. Report the incident formally to Tampa Nerd Con, on-site or online. You may go to the front entrance area where you got your badge to file an incident report in person. This can also be done anytime during or after the show by emailing david@tampanerdcon.com. 
5. Contact the police or other appropriate authorities. Your health and safety are our most important concerns. If you require immediate assistance from law enforcement, medical services, or other governmental entities, please do not hesitate to contact such services directly.